The National Exercise Program is gearing up for its flagship event, the National Level Exercise 2024, slated to take place on April 24, 2024 at the RIHGA Royal Laguna Guam Resort.

This exercise, organized by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, is a critical component of national preparedness efforts, bringing together stakeholders from all levels of government, the private sector, nongovernmental organizations, and community groups.

FEMA Regional Integration Branch Chief Geoffrey Krueger described it as a cyber-security consequence management discussion-based exercise.

“So part of the broader national level exercise is to the catastrophic hurricane impacting Honolulu. So the Port of Honolulu is inoperable for an extended period of time because of the hurricane. What does that mean to Guam? What kind of supplies or resources are coming out of Guam that may now be delayed coming from Hawaii,” said Krueger. 

Local and federal agencies along with the private sector are invited to the exercise.

The NLE is a two-year cycle of selected exercises that culminate in a comprehensive test of operational capabilities, policies, plans, and communication strategies.

NLE 2024 will focus on assessing the impact of a large hurricane on the Hawaiian Islands, coupled with cyber-attacks in Guam, which will further complicate supply chain issues due to damage at Honolulu Harbor.

FEMA Region 9 Deputy Administrator Tammy Littrell said, “National Level Exercise 2024 presents a unique opportunity for stakeholders to evaluate their readiness and response capabilities in the face of complex and interconnected challenges. We are proud to facilitate this exercise that fosters meaningful interaction, communication, and collaboration across the nation.”

The exercise will center on four national-level objectives:

  • Climate Change Implications for National Security
  • Information Sharing
  • Response and Stabilization
  • Intermediate and Long-Term Recovery

Through a series of activities and scenarios, NLE 2024 aims to strengthen threat and hazard planning related to climate change and promote deliberate participation from whole community partners, including key private sector and non-governmental organizations.

The NLE 2024 Tabletop Exercise is scheduled for April 24, 2024, in partnership with the Governor of Guam and the Guam Homeland Security/Office of Civil Defense.

“Engaging in nationwide exercises ensures we're ready for various scenarios. While our people are resilient, it's essential that our plans are clear and our critical infrastructure has contingencies in place to keep everyone safe. With the increasing threats from both natural disasters and human-made challenges, being prepared for any situation is vital,” said Governor Lou Leon Guerrero.

For more information about the National Level Exercise Program and NLE 2024, please visit fema.gov/nle.